It has been four months since we finished our last vintage trailer renovation and I was getting the itch to start a new one! In this post I will show my next vintage trailer restoration plans as I have stumbled upon the “Ideal” trailer that just so happened to be just down the road from our home! Apparently Nipomo, CA is the place to be when searching for these vintage beauties!
This is a 1970 22 foot Ideal travel trailer. I know it looks rough now but if you have been following me for awhile, by now I hope you know that I see great potential in this! Before we start making her pretty again, let’s check out what we are up against and then I will unveil the plans I have!
Before Pictures
We already know that we have water damage. Once again I will need to pull back the paneling from around the windows because odds are the framing will need to be replaced, along with all the seals on the exterior. I will be planning to remove the front closet door and the post at the far right of the kitchen. We are hoping to install an AC in this trailer like we did with the first Ideal we renovated, but that means the high likelihood of needing to add a metal support beam across the width of the trailer. The main layout of the trailer is actually pretty good and I am hoping to keep everything and just add a little more to the front bench area so they connect. All the lighting will be updated along with the appliances. On the exterior we will be painting it along with adding a solar setup and all vintage lighting. We will likely flip the leaf springs like we did with our last renovation, Daphne in order to give more clearance when driving, along with new rims and tires. Once all of this demo is done we can start putting her back together, but what will the theme be this time around?
The Plan
I’ve said it before and I will say it again, when planning out any renovation or interior design create a mood board! This will help guide you through choosing all of your finishes and making a plan to stick to (for the most part) in the beginning! Our plan this time around is all about natural textures and earthy tones. You could call it Spanish style, Mediterranean, Sedona vibes but basically soft creamy colors, rich wood tones, textured walls and cohesive arches. Below are a few inspiration photos I have been gathering to spark ideas! All were found from Pinterest.
Can you see the beauty?? It is going to be a relaxing and earthy vibe and I am so excited to try new things in this space! I want to incorporate arches into this design and have a wall finish that is very old world and natural, even to the touch. A few products I am considering is a microcement or lime plaster paint. The biggest concern is the movement with a trailer so research is happening now to see if these are viable options!
I would love to incorporate beams again like I did in the toy hauler renovation along with open shelving and of course real tile. For countertops I am thinking of creating a honed marble or soapstone surface that I am so excited to try my hand at. Flooring will definitely be another LVP but likely in a dark, rich tone. For the benches I want to create a fluted front with velvet tufted cushion backs, but we will see what we land on for this.
A major component is to create arched openings in various spots. I want to remove the post on the right of the kitchen but a possible solution is to make the opening their into an arch for spices/fruit. Also the 2 front cubby holes will become arches and the entry closet will hopefully become an arch as well. These are all just ideas and now need to be logistically figured out with building.
I plan to keep the bathroom vanity and kitchen cabinets but give a major facelift by adding half round or pole wrap to the fronts and make them look like a beautiful wood. New light fixtures will be added as well as faucets and hardware. I have a pretty cool idea for the shower to make it look like stone using these panels but we will see if I can pull that off!
Below are a few items I am considering for the design to give you an idea behind the aesthetic
As you can see I have my hands FULL, with tons of work ahead of me but I can’t wait to see this one come together! Be sure to follow along as I share the entire process on my Instagram account! Let me know in the comments below if you have any cool suggestions or ideas that you think would be a perfect fit for this vibe!
6 Comments
Ast york
I’m excited to see your journey with this 1970 22-foot Ideal travel trailer! Vintage trailer restorations are always fascinating, and it’s clear that your passion and vision for these beauties shines through. It’s amazing how you can see potential in what may appear rough to others. Nipomo, CA sounds like a hidden gem for finding such treasures. Looking forward to seeing the transformation and your restoration plans. Best of luck with your new project!
nailgunnelly
So excited to get started!
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Jeanine B
Have you been making some progress on this trailer? Excited to see what you do with it!
nailgunnelly
It is finished! Reveal is up on my Instagram, TikTok and Youtube!